Some books possess the rare ability to immerse readers in history, politics, and personal adversity from the very first page.
Reflection of Resilience by Joan Kategaya is one such compelling work.
This memoir, launched by President Yoweri Museveni at Kololo Independence Grounds, provides an unvarnished account of political exile, survival, and the human spirit’s resilience.
A Haunting Opening: The Arrest of Museveni
Kategaya’s narrative opens with an intensely gripping chapter, Two Weeks Behind Bars, which details the sudden and traumatic arrest of several Ugandan exiles, including Yoweri Museveni.
The arrest occurred on the morning of March 1973, at the Deluxe Inn in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Joan Kategaya, along with her husband Eriya Kategaya and their infant son Julius, awoke to the unsettling sound of hurried movements and authoritative voices in Swahili.
At 5 a.m., a loud knock at their door signaled the beginning of their ordeal. Eriya Kategaya answered, only to be met with armed officers storming in and shouting, “Ondokeni—ninyi nyote!” (“Get out—all of you!”).
The sense of confusion and fear was palpable, particularly for Joan, who clutched her sleeping infant, uncertain of what lay ahead.
Among those arrested were several notable Ugandans: Yoweri Museveni, Augustine Ruzindana, Maumbe Mukwana, his mother, and his sister Eunice (alias Amina).
The group, unaware of the reasons behind their arrest, found themselves herded into vehicles and transported at high speed to the central police station.
Hours later, Museveni, along with Eriya Kategaya, Maumbe, and Haji Zubairi Bakari, was transferred to Ukonga Maximum Security Prison.
The women and children remained detained behind the police reception area, enduring harsh conditions for two weeks.
Museveni’s presence during this ordeal adds a significant historical dimension to the book. His ability to remain composed, even in such uncertain circumstances, is noted by Kategaya.
The moment of separation—when he and others were taken to a maximum-security prison—underscored the gravity of the situation.
The Role of High-Level Intervention
Unbeknownst to those detained, President Julius Nyerere had been away in Germany, and the arrests had been orchestrated in his absence.
It was only through the intervention of senior Tanzanian officials, including Mr. Lawrence Gama, the Director General of National Service, that their release was secured.
Kategaya recounts how Gama, upon witnessing the dire conditions in which the detainees were held, was visibly moved.
His direct intervention led to the swift release of all those arrested, including Museveni. The moment of freedom, however, did not erase the trauma of the experience.
The arrest served as a stark reminder of the volatility of political exile and the ever-present danger faced by Ugandan dissidents at the time.
A Historical and Personal Account
While Reflection of Resilience is a deeply personal memoir, it also serves as an essential historical record.
The book not only chronicles the life of Joan Kategaya but also provides insights into the political upheavals of the 1970s.
Museveni’s arrest, his eventual release, and his near brush with capture in Uganda later in the narrative all contribute to the memoir’s significance as a political document.
Kategaya’s writing is devoid of unnecessary dramatization. Instead, she delivers a raw, unfiltered account of fear, uncertainty, and perseverance.
The memoir is a tribute to those who endured exile and a reminder of the resilience required to survive such tumultuous times.
Conclusion
Reflection of Resilience is more than just a memoir; it is a vital historical testimony.
Joan Kategaya’s meticulous recounting of events, particularly the arrest of Museveni and fellow Ugandan exiles, offers an invaluable perspective on a turbulent period in East African history.
The book is recommended for those interested in political history, memoirs of survival, and accounts of resilience in the face of adversity.
